Improvement in condensers for fractional distillation



F. M. YOUNG. CONDENSERS FOR FRACTION'AL DISTILLATION'.

Patented Sept. 4.,1877.

WITNESSES wmfiwb M Distillation and that the following is a full planes,has heretofore been used; but in such end of said coils, the condensedfluid being UNITED TA jEs 1 FRANCIS M. YOUNG, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN CONDENSERS FOR FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. l94,56, dated September4, 1877 application filed May 12,1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. YOUNG, of Chicago, in the county of Cookand State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement inCondensers for Fractional and clear description of the same.

'I am aware that a coiled condenser-tube set upon edge, or with itscoils in vertical condensers, so far as I am aware, the hot vapors werecompelled to pass from end to permitted to escape from the bottom ofeach coil to a return-pipe, and thereby back to the still; but such isnot my invention. In condensers of that description the lower bends ofthe coils frequently become filled with liquid so as to seal thepassage. The hot vapors are then compelled to force the way through saidliquid, and a portion will be condensed by contact with the coolerliquid; while, on the other hand, the vapor which passes through willrevaporize a portion of the liquid previously condensed, and the efi'ectis detrimental to the process.

My condenser does not admit of any such objection. It is not a worm,except for convenience in manufacture. The hot vapors pass along thefeed-pipe, and are drawn down into the vertical tubes partly by gravityand partly by the partial vacuum produced by the partial condensation insaid tubes, while the condensed fluid passes into the lower returnpipeand is conveyed back to the still. I am therefore enabled to keep mycondenser-pipes at the proper temperature and in uniform operation, sothat, while passing the condenser, all or nearly all the vaporcondensable below the vapor-point of alcohol will have been condensed,and the vapor which finally reaches the thorough-condensation worm willbe pure, or nearly so.

That others may fully understand my invention I will particularlydescribe it, having reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein-Figure 1 is aperspective view of my condenser in the form preferred byme. Figs. 2,

3, 4, and 5 represent modifications in structure, but involve no changein principle or mode of action.

A is the vapor-pipe, taking vapor in the direction of the arrows fromthe still, and delivering it in the direction of the arrow at to theworm, where thorough condensation is effected.

The still and thorough-condensation worm are not shown, because theiroperation is well understood, and does not enter into this case in anyspecial way.

For convenience, the structure shown in Fig. 1 only will be speciallydescribed. The corresponding parts in Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5 are, however,similarly lettered for identification.

The condenser is a coiled pipe, B, with the coils placed in planesperpendicular to the horizon. The upper bend of each separate coil isconnected to the pipe A by communicating-pipe b, of such lengths as maybe found most advantageous, and the lower bend of each coil is similarlyconnected with the return-pipe C by pipes d d. It should be understood,however, that if said pipes A and C were connected directly to the coilsof the tube B, so as to reduce the pipes b and d to more orifices, theinvention, or its results, would not thereby be changed. The liquid ofcondensation flows in the direction of the arrows e 0 back to the still.

This whole structure is designed to stand immersed in water to the topof the coils, or to any less depth that may be found preferable.

9 g are feet, to support the condenser, and adjusted to give thereturn-pipe C the proper inclination while standing upon a level floor.

The vapor-pipe and the return-pipe are, therefore, separate, and the hotvapors which pass into the condenser-pipes are there condensed so far aspossible at the temperature maintained, and the liquid of condensationflows away through the return-pipe withoutcoming in contact with thevapor in the vaporpipe at all.

By these means light vapors are permitted to pass off to be treatedelsewhere, while those portions which are heavier and more easilycondensed pass into the pipes B.

The quality of condensed liquid may be regulated by adjusting thetemperature of the vapor-pipe, A, above, and a return-pipe, 0,

water surrounding the condenser. below, as set forth, combined withcondenser- After operation on an extensive scale for a pipes B,extending between and uniting said sufficient period to thoroughly testthis imvapor and return pipes, substantially as and provement, it isfound that the product is noto operate as described.

ticeably softer and superior to liquor condensed in the usual way. YOUNGHaving described my invention, what I Witnesses:

claim as new is- B. W. KENDALL, An analyzing-condenser composed of a H.D. YOUNG.

